"A masterclass in stage presentation" — Carson Kressley praises Onya Nurve in RuPaul's Drag Race season 17

The latest episode of RuPaul's Drag Race season 17, titled B**ch, I'm a Drag Queen, aired on January 24, 2025, challenging the queens to perform in 30-second music videos inspired by memorable moments from the show’s history. The judges evaluated the queens based on their performances and runway presentations.

During the runway, Carson Kressley called Onya Nurve's efforts “a masterclass in stage presentation.”

This marked a key moment in the episode as Onya Nurve won the challenge with a standout performance, securing her place as the week’s top queen. Suzie followed closely, earning her spot in the top 3 with a strong showing in both the challenge and on the runway. Meanwhile, Joella struggled in the challenge and on the runway, ultimately leading to her elimination.

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Onya Nurve showcases her talent in the challenge and runway of RuPaul's Drag Race

The queens dove into the maxi challenge by reimagining iconic Drag Race moments in musical advertisements for the fictional album Bi*ch, I’m a Drag Queen! Volumes 1 and 2.

Team Volume 1 included five performances based on memorable moments from RuPaul's Drag Race. Lydia and Lana performed No Class, No Manners, a country-inspired duet referencing the disagreement between Morgan McMichaels and Mystique Summers Madison. Crystal presented Unprofessional, interpreting Latrice Royale’s critique during Snatch Game.

Jewels and Arrietty collaborated on Backrolls, revisiting Jade Jolie’s interaction with Alyssa Edwards. Jewels carried the performance with her energy, while Arrietty struggled to match her partner’s presence. Hormona performed I Nominate Myself, reflecting on Shannel’s decision to leave the competition, but her delivery did not fully convey the intended emotion.

Joella performed We Write the Stories, a solo inspired by Mariah Paris Balenciaga’s moment, but the impact of her presentation was limited. Team Volume 2 also brought forward various interpretations.

Suzie performed You’re Perfect, based on Aja’s comments to Valentina, showing clarity in her delivery. Onya performed Put Your Lighters Up, inspired by Laganja Estranja’s routine and used the material effectively.

Lexi performed This Is Your Moment, referencing Jasmine Kennedie’s exchange with Maddy Morphosis, but the judges found her interpretation unclear. Kori performed Glamazon Bitch, based on Kennedy Davenport’s speech, but the concept was seen as repetitive, as it echoed her previous week’s presentation. Suzie and Onya’s work stood out as the most consistent among the performances.

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Other episode highlights of RuPaul's Drag Race

The music video challenge in this week’s episode highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the queens as they interpreted iconic RuPaul's Drag Race moments. Onya Nurve stood out with a performance inspired by Laganja Estranja’s stand-up set. Her ability to understand the character and hold the audience's attention earned her the challenge win.

Not all queen's performance impressed the judges. Kori King and Joella struggled with their assigned roles and were placed in the bottom two. Joella’s quilt-inspired runway look, which featured a simple rectangular design, received critiques from Michelle Visage.

The judges felt her look and performance lacked the "polish" required to stay in the competition. The bottom two lip-synced to Buttons by the Pussycat Dolls. While Joella attempted to add drama to her performance by interacting with her runway design, the judges felt it didn’t translate well. RuPaul ultimately chose to save Kori King, citing her potential for growth.

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Watch new episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race airing every Friday only on MTV.